The purpose of this study is to examine the safety and effectiveness of GI262570 compared to placebo (a pill that looks exactly like GI262570 but contains no active medicine) in improving specific tests that indicate the degree of liver fibrosis (scarring). Subjects who are enrolled in the study must have had prior treatment with interferon (either pegylated or standard interferon) plus ribavirin for at least 12 weeks to treat their hepatitis C, but either failed to clear the virus or didn't tolerate the treatment.

Change from baseline in liver biopsy immunohistochemical markers. Change from baseline in fibrosis in liver biopsy. Histological assessment of paired biopsies (baseline and Week 52). Safety and tolerability of two doses of GI262570. [ Time Frame: 52 Weeks ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Proportion of subjects progressing at least 1 point in fibrosis score. Proportion of subjects regressing at least 1 point in fibrosis score. Change from baseline in markers of liver fibrosis. [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks ]

·Proportion of subjects progressing at least 1 point on the Ishak fibrosis score at Week 52 on each arm of the study. Progression is defined as an increase of at least one point in the fibrosis score.

·Proportion of subjects regressing at least 1 point on the Ishak fibrosis score at Week 52 on each arm of the study.

·Proportion of subjects whose Ishak fibrosis score remains unchanged at Week 52 on each arm of the study.

·Change from baseline in total Ishak Score (necroinflammatory score and fibrosis score) at Week 52.

Failure to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR) with previous interferon (standard or pegylated) and ribavirin treatment administered at a minimum dose of 3mU three times weekly or equivalent, for at least 12 weeks. Reasons for failure may include failure to respond to treatment or intolerability to optimal treatment. Prior treatment with interferon/ribavirin must have been discontinued at least 11 months prior to the biopsy date.

Male or female; a female is eligible to enter and participate in this study if she is of:

non-childbearing potential (i.e., physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, including any female who is post-menopausal); or,

child-bearing potential, has a negative serum pregnancy test at screen, and agrees to one of the following:

Complete abstinence from intercourse from 2 weeks prior to administration of the study drug, throughout the study, and for a time interval after completion or premature discontinuation from the study to account for elimination of the investigational drug, (a minimum of 5 half-lives or longer if the pharmacodynamic profile of the investigational drug warrants a longer time period); or,

Any intrauterine device (IUD) with published data showing that the lowest expected failure rate is less than 1% per year (not all IUDs meet this criterion); or,

Any other methods with published data showing that the lowest expected failure rate for that method is less than 1% per year; or,

Barrier method only if used in combination with any of the above acceptable methods.

Availability and willingness of subject to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria:

A subject will not be eligible for inclusion in this study if any of the following criteria apply:

History of ascites, variceal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or other signs of hepatic decompensation.

Current or historical evidence suggestive of ischemic heart disease or other cardiovascular disease that in the investigator's opinion may adversely impact the safety of the subject during the conduct of the study. Evidence suggestive of cardiovascular disease may come from a number of sources, including clinical history, physical exam, electrocardiogram, laboratory testing, and radiographic procedures.

Serious concurrent medical illness that in the investigator's opinion might interfere with therapy. This includes significant systemic illnesses (other than liver disease) such as chronic pancreatitis.

Active systemic autoimmune disorder.

A pre-existing condition interfering with normal gastrointestinal anatomy or motility, and/or renal function that could interfere with the absorption, metabolism, and/or excretion of the study drugs.

Other medical conditions that, in the investigator's opinion, might interfere with compliance with therapy, participation in the study or interpretation of results.

Females of child-bearing potential (post-puberty) unwilling or unable to have pregnancy testing at any study visit.

Therapy with systemic cytotoxic agents, immunomodulators, or immunosuppressive therapy requiring use of more than 5mg of prednisone (or its equivalent) per day.

Therapy with a systemic antiviral agent (with the exception of prophylaxis or treatment of influenza or chronic HSV) within the past 30 days.

Concurrent participation in another clinical trial in which the subject is or will be exposed to another investigational or a non-investigational drug or device within 30 days of the screening visit.

Current therapy or anticipated need for therapy with hypoglycemic drugs (e.g., insulin, sulfonylurea or metformin).

Known hypersensitivity to GI262570, or to any component of the GI262570 soft gelatin capsules, dispersion tablets or the sodium salt tablet or to PPARg agonists.

A history of hepatotoxicity to TZDs and/or a history of severe edema or medically serious fluid-related events associated with the use of TZDs.

Use of other PPAR agonists (e.g., rosiglitazone, pioglitazone) within 1 year from the start of dosing.

Active alcohol abuse within the past 1 year.

Use of illegal drugs in the past 1 year. 30a. Macular edema or history of macular edema.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00244751